ePrints

How Do Regulations Affect SMEs? A Review of the Qualitative Evidence and a Research Agenda

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Oliver Mallett, Robert Wapshott

Downloads

• Accepted version [.pdf]

Licence

This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Wiley-Blackwell, 2019.

For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.

Abstract

The relationship between levels of regulation and rates of SME growth is complex and contested. This paper presents findings from a systematic review of peer reviewed, empirical evidence on the firm-level effects of regulation on SME growth. Empirically, we contribute to debates on regulation and SME growth by identifying and organising the limited research base focused specifically on the firm-level effects of regulation on SME growth. We identify four key themes: correlations with regulatory context; perceptions of regulation; threshold effects; and stability and consistency. Conceptually we contribute by arguing that the domination of research evidence by the rhetoric of de-regulation creates a counterproductive ‘spectre of regulation’ that distorts understanding and may hamper business growth. In particular we highlight the potential dangers of ‘regulatory churn’ as a result of efforts to enhance or remove existing regulation that threatens the stability and consistency that may support SME survival and growth.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mallett O, Wapshott R, Vorley T

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Management Reviews

Year: 2019

Volume: 21

Issue: 3

Pages: 294-316

Print publication date: 01/07/2019

Online publication date: 22/07/2018

Acceptance date: 17/06/2018

Date deposited: 18/06/2018

ISSN (print): 1460-8545

ISSN (electronic): 1468-2370

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12191

DOI: 10.1111/ijmr.12191

Altmetrics

Share